Conveyor system

Abstract

The invention relates to a conveyor system, which has several conveyors (3/4) joined to together into a chain. There is an articulation (9) at the joining point of the conveyors, which allows the conveyors to turn relative to each other. The chain may be formed and disassembled rapidly. The system is applicable to be used e.g. at mines.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method for joining at least two longitudinal conveyors provided with a feeding and a discharge end such that the discharge end of the preceding conveyor is always joined to the feeding end of the following conveyor, whereby a conveyor chain is formed which has a feeding end and a discharge end and at least one joining point, for transporting material by means of the chain from the feeding end to the discharge end, and for disassembling the chain, comprising the steps of: forming a conveyor chain such that in at least one joining point, the conveyors are joined to each other by an articulation which allows the conveyors to turn relative to each other on a horizontal plane and a vertical plane, the articulation being supported on the ground by a movable support;   supporting the feeding end of the chain on a support extending from a crushing unit so that the feeding end is turnable relative to the crushing unit;   transporting material from the feeding end of the chain to its discharge end; and   disassembling the chain.   
     
     
       2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the feeding end of the conveyor is supported on the crushing unit by suspending the feeding end from the support extending from the crushing unit. 
     
     
       3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the articulated point is supported onto the ground by means of a turnable set of wheels. 
     
     
       4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the set of wheels is fixed to the feeding end of the latter conveyor. 
     
     
       5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the set of wheels may be turned by ±90° from the longitudinal direction of the conveyor. 
     
     
       6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the feeding end of the conveyor chain is joined to the crushing unit by an articulation which allows the conveyor and the crushing unit to turn relative to each other at least on a horizontal plane. 
     
     
       7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the feeding end of the conveyor chain is joined to the crushing unit by an articulation which allows the conveyor and the crushing unit to turn relative to each other both on a horizontal and vertical plane. 
     
     
       8. A method according to claim 1, wherein a conveyor chain is formed such that in at least one joining point starting from the feeding end, the conveyors are joined to each other by means of an articulation; and   material is transported, and the support device of the feeding end is moved without disassembling the conveyor chain.   
     
     
       9. A method according to claim 8, wherein a conveyor chain is formed, which has at least three conveyors such that also in at least a second joining point, the conveyors are joined to each other by means of an articulation. 
     
     
       10. A method according to claim 1, wherein, when the conveyor chain is formed or disassembled, the conveyors are transferred by pulling or pushing one at a time chain sections formed by one or more conveyors. 
     
     
       11. A method according to claim 10, wherein chain sections formed by at least two conveyors are transferred by pulling or pushing the chain sections simultaneously. 
     
     
       12. A method according to claim 10, wherein at least one conveyor has a turnable set of wheels, which is controlled during the transfer. 
     
     
       13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the set of wheels is controlled automatically. 
     
     
       14. A method according to claim 12, wherein the set of wheels is located at the end of the conveyor and that said conveyor end is joined to a second conveyor by means of an articulation or to a pulling or pushing device by means of an articulation which allows the conveyor and the pulling or pushing device to turn relative to each other at least on a horizontal plane and that the wheels are controlled according to the turning angle of the horizontal plane of the articulation located at the end of the conveyor concerned. 
     
     
       15. An apparatus for transporting material, comprising: a conveyor chain formed of at least two conveyors, each conveyor having a feeding end and a discharge end, the conveyors being joined successively with the discharge end of a preceding conveyor joined to the feeding end of a following conveyor so that the conveyor chain has a feeding end and a discharge end;   a joint supporting a feeding end of a first conveyor on a support extending from a crushing unit, the feeding end of the first conveyor being turnable relative to the support on at least a horizontal plane; and,   an articulation joining at least two conveyors of the chain, the articulation allowing the joined conveyors to turn relative to each other on a horizontal plane and a vertical plane, the articulation being supported on the ground by a movable support.   
     
     
       16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the articulation comprises: a horizontal roller plate provided with an opening at the discharge end of the preceding conveyor, on which the conveyor is mounted to be turnable on a vertical plane;   a turning table provided with an opening at the feeding end of the latter conveyor such that the roller plate and the turning table are turnable relative to each other on a horizontal plane;   means for keeping the roller plate and the turning table of the discharge end in place laterally and side by side in a vertical direction; and   means for feeding material from the preceding conveyor through the roller plate and the turning table to the latter conveyor.   
     
     
       17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the joint connecting the feeding end of the first conveyor to the crushing unit includes means for the crushing unit and the conveyor to turn relative to each other at least on a horizontal plane. 
     
     
       18. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the articulation is supported on a turnable set of wheels. 
     
     
       19. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein there is a turnable set of wheels at one end of the chain. 
     
     
       20. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein to one end of the chain is fixed a beam, which is joined to a pulling or pushing device. 
     
     
       21. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the turnable set of wheels is turnable by 90° from a longitudinal direction of the conveyor. 
     
     
       22. An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the turnable set of wheels includes turnable bogies formed in a wheel shaft. 
     
     
       23. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the feeding end of the first conveyor is suspended below the fixed support on pivot pins for movement of the feeding end relative to the support in a vertical plane. 
     
     
       24. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the joint comprises: a turning table having oppositely located downward extensions;   support plates extending upward from the first conveyor and aligning with the downward extensions;   articulated pins pivotally fastening the downward extensions to the support plates so that the feeding end is suspended below the arm and is pivotable relative to the support arm in a vertical plane; and,   means for rotatably supporting the turning table on the support for rotation horizontally relative to the support.   
     
     
       25. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the support includes a pair of horizontally extending arms and the means for rotatably supporting the turning table includes a roller plate fixed to the arms and rollers mounted to the roller plate and defining a roller surface above the roller plate, the turning table being supported on the roller surface. 
     
     
       26. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the turning table includes a vertical cylindrical portion and a planar, ring-shaped portion attached at an upper end of the vertical portion, the downward extensions being fixed to the cylindrical portion. 
     
     
       27. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the support comprises a pair of horizontally extending arms, each arm branching at a free end to upper and lower portions, the roller plate being attached to the lower portions of the arms, and further comprising additional rollers attached to the upper portions of the arms and extending downward to constrain the ring-shaped portion of the turning table in contact with the rollers of the roller plate.